Businesses that wish to engage in import, export, or distribution of products in the Philippines must plan for FDA registration during the set-up phase of the business. Several product categories are regulated by the FDA, and products that fall within these categories require product registration. It is helpful for business owners to determine where their products fall under existing categories, in order to be able to comply with the law. Companies can avoid mishaps during the process by engaging the assistance of an FDA registration expert. At Kittelson & Carpo Consulting, our FDA consultant is a licensed pharmacist who has considerable expertise in various areas of product registration in the Philippines. She can provide seamless assistance in securing the right types of licences for your product and facilitating its approval for trading in the country.

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The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the country’s official government arm that protects the health of the public by assuring safe, efficient, and quality drugs, food products, food supplements, cosmetics, household hazardous products, household urban hazardous products, and medical devices.

FDA, an agency under the Philippine Department of Health, also facilitates the appropriate health manpower development and research and assumes primary jurisdiction in the collection of health products samples. FDA analyzes and inspects health products for standard identity, fill of container, and affordability to the public. The agency ensures that all products imported to the Philippines are properly labeled and can advance public health of Philippines residents.

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As mentioned above, there are primarily two seasons in the Philippines. The “cool” season is felt in the months between December and February. However, “cool” is relative. In Manila, “cool” can mean a super comfortable mid 70s fahrenheit. “Summer” stretches from March to May and can be brutal for westerners. The “rainy” season starts in June, ending around November. During the rainy season, locals bring an umbrella to work every single day because regardless of how the weather looks in the morning, chances are the evening commute will be wet.

Cash Caution

This is a preview of Things to Know Before Coming to the Philippines – Part III. Read the full post

The Philippines allows foreign travelers of many nationalities to enter the country without obtaining a visa in advance. Stays beyond a specified period then require the foreign national to obtain a tourist visa extension. To be sure you know what to expect, why not contact us? The Kittelson & Carpo visa staff is happy to answer questions about specific requirements related to your country.

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The Philippines is geographically situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it a tropical country with two official seasons – the dry and wet. Although outside can be hot and moist, most office and commercial spaces are climate-controlled so that they are comfortable to western standards.

Despite the tropical climate, business or business casual attire is common in Philippine offices. Men wear either a western-style shirt and slacks (jackets are occasional, ties are uncommon), or they wear a Philippine office barong, typically a linen embroidered dress-shirt that is worn untucked. Women wear western office attire but many prefer skirts, blouses, and dresses for comfort in the tropical heat.

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With strong fundamentals and continued economic growth, the future looks bright for Metro Manila real estate, according to KMC MAG Group’s 2013 Midyear Report launched last Sept. 6, 2013. The report provides information on the key trends and forecasts regarding residential and office markets in the three major central business districts (CBDs) in Metro Manila: Makati, Taguig (Bonifacio Global City), and Ortigas.

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Last March 27, 2013, the Republic of the Philippines received its first Investment Grade Status from the rating agency, Fitch Group. From a previous ranking of BB+, the status of the Philippines has been upgraded to BBB-. For the first time in the nation’s history, the country was given such an investment grade by a major international credit ratings agency. This means a great deal to the country and its future growth and development as the investment grade will pave to the way towards a host of benefits and improvements. The previous ranking (BB+) was two notches below investment grade and thus indicated to foreign direct investors that the Philippines is not the safest place for their investments. The upgrade to BBB- labels the country as Investment Grade and thus states that we are ready and able to house such major investments.

On Monday, March 25 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a draft memorandum circular regarding the government body’s foreign ownership rule. The SEC had released this draft to the concerned parties asking for their input and comments by April 25.

Instead of the previous provision stating that foreigners can only own 30 to 40 percent of all classes of a company’s stock, now the new draft states that foreigners may now own 30 to 40 percent of voting shares and total shares. This rule applies to companies in the utilities, media, advertising, and natural resources industries.

On Monday, March 18, 2013, it was reported that the Philippine Peso weakened as an effect of the announced radical bailout plan on Cyprus. While it seems unlikely that an event this far from the Philippines should affect it economically, it seems that investors have shied away from risky assets and investments because of the possible fallout from this move in Cyprus.

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Foreign direct investment inflows have never been better as confidence increases in the Philippine business environment. Foreign direct investment increased by 10% by the end of 2012. Comparing from the previous year, the amount increased from $1.85 billion in 2011, a significant amount in itself, to an even more impressive $2 billion in 2012. There was an increase of $150 million over the course of the year which was, as previously mentioned, 10%.

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